He looked at the screen on his phone. Nino had been frantically texting him for the last few minutes:
URGENT BRO
You are never going to believe this
Marinette is Singing
ON STAGE DUDE
YES that marinette
I can't believe you are missing this!
Adrien responded with a quick 'Hold on'. He was already out of the house, and only a few blocks away. But this gave him even more reason to hurry. His friend was performing on stage, and he of course wanted to support her. He turned the last corner and could see the hall, the music spewing out into the Paresian night.
It reminded him of last night, with his lady. Slow dancing on the Eiffel Tower had been perfect. Tonight he could dance with his friends, and that made him smile. He adjusted his tux, tailored, not rented, and the green tie to match his eyes. The music had lulled between songs, and Adrien took a deep breath and looked over his shoulder to the Tower to search for signs of his Ladybug. Finding none he opened the doors to the Formal just as the drum beat picked up.
Inside all of their friends crowded around the stage. Upon which a Red headed girl he didn't recognise was holding the microphone next to…. Marinette? Her dark hair was in tight curls, not her signature ponytails, her dress was a fun deep red. Was this really Marinette on stage? As he stepped into the crowd, he easily found Nino and Alya. He never took his eyes off the stage. At some point Marinette stepped back into the boy on guitar behind her…. Luka, Adrien was pretty sure, wearing a red pin matching Marinette's dress. Adrien wasn't sure what emotion hit him just then. He tried to shake the emotion from himself and enjoy the dance with his friends. Marinette looked so happy on stage. She sang and danced with the redhead and they were amazing. Adrien wondered why he didn't know she could sing like that.
They sang a few fun songs and an encore, before the DJ took and he started with a slow dance. His friends separated into their respective couples, and he headed to the snacks table in the back grabbing himself a fruit punch and watching his friends from the side. He wanted to look for Marinette to congratulate her on her performance. He didn't even know she was in a band, or that she was back with Luka. This time the jealousy was undeniable and it shocked him. He was jealous of Luka? That was a surprise he mused to himself, because that would mean he liked Marinette.
No, he loved his Bugaboo, his partner, the saviour of Paris. It didn't matter that she didn't love him back. Their partnership, and the safety of Paris meant more than his feelings for her ever would. At least while Hawkmoth was still at large.